Abstract: A method of forming a nanocomposite material includes polymerizing a first monomer to form a first polymeric material. A second monomer is added to the first polymeric material and the second monomer is also polymerized to form a polymeric mixture of the first and second polymers, or a polymeric reactor material. The polymeric reactor material is compounded with a concentrate that includes a nanofiller material mixed in a wetting material, thereby forming the nanocomposite material.

Abstract: A method for forming a nanocomposite material includes introducing a nanofiller material having polar end groups into an extruder having a polymeric material therein. An unsaturated shielding material is introduced into the extruder. The unsaturated shielding material reacts with the polar end groups, thereby forming a shielded nanofiller material. The shielded nanofiller material is grafted to the polymeric material, thereby forming the nanocomposite material. The nanofiller material therein is substantially exfoliated, and the nanocomposite material exhibits enhanced physical properties.

Abstract: A nanocomposite material includes at least one polymeric material and at least one modified nanofiller material having shielded polar groups, wherein the at least one polymeric material is compatible with the modified nanofiller without an external compatibilizing material. The nanocomposite material advantageously exhibits enhanced physical properties.

Abstract: A method for making a nanocomposite material includes introducing a polymeric material and a nanofiller material into a conical twin-screw extruder. The extruder is adapted to impart substantially gentle shearing of the polymeric material and the nanofiller material, thereby forming the nanocomposite material. The nanofiller material is dispersible within the polymeric material substantially without the use of an external compatibilizing material. The use of the conical twin-screw extruder substantially eliminates the need to use an external compatibilizer to produce a nanocomposite material having enhanced properties (e.g. physical properties, mechanical properties, etc.).

Abstract: A composite electrolyte membrane is fabricated by applying a solution onto a surface of a substrate, then removing the solvent to form a layer of the composite electrolyte membrane. The substrate comprises an electrode; and the solution comprises an exfoliated, inorganic, sodium-based cation exchange material, an ionically conductive polymer-based material, and a solvent-dispersant.

Abstract: A method for making a nanocomposite material includes introducing a solution including a nanofiller material and a supercritical fluid into a molten polymeric material within an extruder. The supercritical fluid is caused to substantially instantaneously convert to a gas phase, thereby forming the nanocomposite material having the nanofiller material substantially homogeneously dispersed therein.

Abstract: A method for minimizing nanofiller agglomeration within a polymeric material includes the step of introducing the nanofiller at predetermined parameters into an extruder having the polymeric material therein. The nanofiller introduction is downstream of the area of the extruder wherein the polymeric material had been substantially melted and mixed. After the nanofiller introduction, the melted polymeric material has the nanofiller dispersed therewithin substantially without agglomerated nanofiller. Then the melted polymeric material having nanofiller dispersed therewithin exits the extruder before nanofiller agglomeration occurs.